Collapsible tent frame



June 2, 1942. B. A. RUPRIGHT COLLAPSIBLE TENT FRAME Filed June a, 1940/2 .5827 17. @uprghf Patented June 2, 1942 l I .COLLAPSIBLE TENT FRAME Y7' Bert A. Rupright, Lansing, Mich assignor of one-L half to LeonGrabowski, Lansing, Mich;

Application June 8, 1940, S eria l No. 339,543

l 1 Claim. This invention relates to collapsible tent frames, and-hasfor its object the construction of a frame for the support of the fabriccovering of a tent orthe like, comprising parts of special formation andarrangement each part being detachable in order that the entire framemay be taken apart and assembled in a relatively small space or bundlefor convenient transportation or shipment, and which may readily ofwhich Fig. 1 represents'a perspective View of all parts assembled in theerected position of the frame.

Fig. 2 is a top end view of one of the vertical members showingtheattached socket head.

Fig. 3 represents a side view of the socket head or connecting devicesat the topof one of the vertical members.

Fig. 4 shows a top view of one of the corner vertical members with theconnecting devices located at the top of the member and connected withends of the horizontal members at the angular junction thereof.

Fig. 5 represents a side View of the parts i1- lustrated in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a side view of one of the vertical tubular members, showingits pointed and limited end insertion in the base boards.

Throughout the drawing and specification the same number is used torefer to the same part.

Considering the drawing, in Fig. 1 is represented the rectangular basecomposed of separable sides I, 2, 3 and 4, and which may be of woodenpieces. Vertical tubular corner and intermediate members 5, 6 and I areemployed as tachably' supports the endsof horizontal tubes I4 and H asillustrated in'Fig. 1. 5

As best shown in Figs. '2 and 3 the intermediate vertical. tube 6 isprovided at the top with detachable fastening means termed for thepurposes of this explanation a socket head l3. This head may be soldered'to the top of the vertical 1 member, and its individual shape can beobviousshown, and in Fig. 6 the pointed end of the vertical member 8 isshown passing through the metal plate 9. The function of plate 9 is tolimit the insertion of the pointed endof the vertical member into thewooden base.

In addition to the vertical members mentioned, there may be employed alike vertical tubular member ID having spaced hinges H for an open-workdoor to the tent, not shown, and which may be of any chosen pattern.

Best shown in Fig. 5 at the top of the corner vertical member 5, is theangular bracket device I: having the set screw 12. The corner bracket [2has two branches at right angles and de- 1y varied. As set out in Fig. 2the head 13 is detachably attached to the adjacent ends of horizontaltubes l4 and .15 by cotter pins I4.

As usually constructed the horizontal top frame tubes [4 and [5, also l6and I! as set out in Fig. 1 are separable elements, and may be detachedfrom the top socket heads or like of the vertical members.

In Fig. 1 the intermediate vertical tubular member l8 has therein avertically adjustablerod I9 secured by a set screw 20 in the socket headof the vertical tube. Intermediate vertical tube 6 has a like adjustablerod 2|, and those rods support a cross tube 22 that carries the top tentangle. Adjustable rod holding tubes 23 and 24, each having a set screw25 are arranged in inclined positions with ends connected with the tentangle carrier 22 and front and rear vertical tube members asillustrated.- The rod 26 in brace tube 25 is shown, and its adjustmentmay be fixed by the set screw 25.

As best illustrated in Fig.6 there will be noted one of the outwardlyinclinable rod holding tubes 21, pivotally and if need be detachablysecured near the top of the vertical tubular member 6 in the clip orsocket 28 which is a part of the devices also shown in Fig. 2. A setscrew 29 in the collared or reinforced end of tube 21 adjustably securesrod 3|], so that the combined length of the tube and rod may be altered.In any desired manner, as by the provision of a terminal ring 3| the rod30 may be connected with pegs driven into the earth in the manner usualin tent erections. As further set out in Fig. 6 there will be observedthe arcuate piece 32 constructed with slots 33 intended to be slippedover pins 34 in the Vertical member 6, whereby the inclination of thetube 21 and rod therein may be fixed in position desired. The functionof the inclined rods elementsis primarily to provide supports for anawning on either side or upon all sides of the tent frame. As shown inFig. 1 the rods are illustrated on all four sides of the structure.

Further considering Fig. 1, there will be seen the rings 35 provided foreach vertical tubular member where it is inserted into the base board.The function of the ring is to engage the peg 36 which has a lip 31 tobe passed over the ring, and when the peg 36is driven into the earth thebase rectangle of the erected tent cannot be displaced. There may be asmany pegs 36 used as thought necessary to keep the tent in place,particularly in windy Weather.

It will be borne in mind that the object of i this invention is theproduction of a collapsible tent frame of especially simple character,and of which the parts when detached may be collected in comparatively asmall package for handling or for shipment. Yet it is believed to beapparent from the foregoing description that the frame members anddevices may be easily and readily assembled by any person without theuse of tool's,

, and without more than the ordinary-mechanicalknowledge. The inventionis in no sense limitednected with the base frame in detachable rela--tion, horizontal top members connecting the upper ends of the verticalmembers and detachable therefrom, each vertical member having pivotallyand detachably connected therewith an inclinable tube, each inclinabletube being provided with an extensible rod and a set screw whereby therod may be extended from the free end of V the tube in adjust-ablerelation, said rods having terminal rings constructed to engage tentpegs, an arcuate member provided for and attached to each inclinabletube, means whereby the said arcuate member may be connected anddisconnected with a vertical member to adjust the inclinable tubes, atent angle carrier extending horizontally across the tent frame top andhaving vertical end rods in adjustable and detachable connection withvertical members, and said tent angle carrier having connected betweenits ends inclined supporting bracing tubes each having. an extension rodtherein, the ends of said rods being connected with the sides of thetent frame.

BERT A. RUPRIGHT.

